Support means

ABSTRACT

Support means for use in controlling unwanted movement of supported objects on a supporting surface. The support means is constructed of a pad detailed to provide an area on which objects can be supported, with collapsible restraining means being provided on a number of lateral edges of the pad. The restraining means are movable between a collapsed position substantially coplanar with the surface of the pad and a raised position projecting above the pad. Retaining means is operatively associated with the restraining means for releasably holding the restraining means in the raised position whereby objects supported on the pad cannot roll off the pad in the direction of the restraining means.

United States Patent [191 Hind [ SUPPORT MEANS [76] Inventor: Hobart M. Hind, 2325 Radium Spring, Albany, Ga. 31701 [22] Filed: Aug. 23, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 283,095

[52] US. Cl. 229/30, 5/93 R, 5/93 B, 5/99 B, 229/39 HW, 229/52 B [51] Int. Cl A47d 7/02, B65d 5/20 [58] Field of Search 5/93 R, 93 B, 99 R, 99 B; 150/52 R; 4/166; 206/DIG. 8, 65 A; 229/30, 32, 34 HW, 41 B, 41 R, 52 B, 52 R, 55, DIG.

[ 1 Oct. 29, 1974 176,503 10/1953 Germany ..206/65A Primary Examiner-William T. Dixson, Jr. Assistant Examiner-Bruce H. Bernstein Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Newton, Hopkins & Orsmby [5 7] ABSTRACT Support means for use in controlling unwanted movement of supported objects on a supporting surface. The support means is constructed of a pad detailed to provide an area on which objects can be supported, with collapsible restraining means being provided on a number of lateral edges of the pad. The restraining means are movable between a collapsed position substantially coplanar with the surface of the pad and a raised position projecting above the pad. Retaining means is operatively associated with the restraining means for releasably holding the restraining means in the raised position whereby objects supported on the pad cannot roll off the pad in the direction of the restraining means.

4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 1 SUPPORT MEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a support for use in supporting objects on a supporting surface and is more particularly concerned with a safety pad which can be used to prevent a baby from rolling off a supporting surface while feeding or bathing the baby.

In the care of babies, it is often necessary to place the baby on a counter or table surface for bathing or other body care needs. In the past, when babies were placed on a table or counter top, it was necessary for the individual caring for the baby to remain close by or even maintain one hand on the baby to prevent the baby from rolling off the supporting surface. Often when the baby was left unattended, the baby would roll off and become seriously injured.

Further, when it is desirable to move the baby from one location on a counter or table top to another location such as a supporting crib, the baby must be carefully supported to prevent injury to the babys back or neck and if the baby is not carefully handled during transfer from one location to another, the baby can suffer permanent injury.

Another area in which it is desirable to control unwanted movement of objects is in any type of unsteady platforms such as boats, wherein a number of objects are often positioned on the platform or surface of a boat and due to the movement of these surfaces, the objects will often roll off the supporting surface into the water and become permanently lost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above disadvantages have been overcome by the present invention which basically includes a pad constructed of a number of layers of material with stiffener elements positioned between the layers of material ad jacent opposite lateral side edges of the material, with the stiffeners being fixed in position so that they are angularly adjustable relative to each other and angularly adjustable relative to the surface of the pad. Releasable retaining means is operatively associated with the pad and stiffeners whereby the stiffeners can be moved to an angularly adjusted position and held by the releasable retaining means to provide restraining means on opposite lateral side edges of the supporting pad to prevent a baby or other supported objects from rolling off the pad.

One important feature of the present invention is the provision of a supporting pad which is simple in construction and use, economical to manufacture and reliable in operation.

Another important feature of the present invention is the provision of indentations on the stiffener elements which will aid in supporting a bottle while feeding a baby.

A further important feature of the present invention is that the pad is provided with selectively operable restraining means on the edges of the pad between the stiffener elements for preventing unwanted movement of a baby or other object off the end of the supporting pad.

Another important feature of the present invention is that the pad is provided with handle grasping means which will permit a supported object, such as a baby, to be transferred between a number of locations.

A still further feature of the present invention is the construction of the pad of synthetic material which will provide a protective cover over a surface in which a baby or other objects are being supported.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a safety pad for use in controlling unwanted movement of supported objects.

Still other objects and advantages of the details of construction will become apparent after reading the following description of the illustrative embodiments with reference to the attached drawings wherein like references have been used to refer to like parts throughout the several figures, and wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPT ION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a support pad embodying principles of the present invention, showing certain of the restraining means moved to two different adjusted restraining positions:

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the pad shown in FIG. 1 with all of the restraining means in a collapsed position;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken transversely across the supporting pad, showing one of the restraining means in a raised position and one of the restraining means in a collapsed position; and

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 3 showing a modified pad construction.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, the support pad embodying the principles of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 and generally represented by the reference numeral 10. The support pad 10 is constructed to include a supporting area or surface: 11 having a pair of restraining means 13, 14 provided along opposite lateral side edges. The pad is fabricated from two layers of suitable synthetic materials, with each of the restraining means l3, 14 including a pair of stiffener elements l5, 16. The stiffener elements 15, 16 are positioned between the two layers of fabric material, with the edges of the fabric material around the stiffener elements, the area between the two adjacent stiffener elements and the edges of the layers of material adjacent the supporting surface 11 being bonded together to maintain the stiffener elements 15, 16 in fixed relationship relative to each other and relative to the supporting surface. With the stiffener elements 15, 16 secured between the two layers of fabric material as indicated above, the stiffener elements are pivotally adjustable relative to each other and are pivotally adjustable relative to the supporting surface 11. Both of the restraining elements l3, 14 are movable from a collapsed position, as shown in FIG. 2, to a raised restraining position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The two stiffener elements l5, 16 are maintained in a raised restraining position by a number of the releasable retaining straps 17. The retaining straps 17 are constructed of lengths of material which are placed beneath opposite ends of the supporting surface 11, with the straps including extending portions having a conventional snap-on connector element 18.

As shown in FIG. 3, straps 17 are provided with a stiffener element 19 adjacent the restraining means 13, 14. The stiffener elements 19 are detailed in dimension to prevent displacement of the stiffener elements 15,

16 inwardly beyond the angular supported position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The snap-on fasteners 18 are adapted to be releasably connected with complementary snap-on fasteners 20 provided adjacent the corners of the restraining means 13, 14.

The strap elements 17 can be constructed of suitable elastic material which will permit limited displacement outwardly of restraining means 13, 14 when a baby rolls in contact therewith.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, each of these stiffener elements 15, 16 are provided with a pair of spaced indentations a, 15b, 16a 16b, respectively. The indentations 15a, 16a, are aligned and the indentations 15b, 16b are aligned with each other respectively. The layers of material are provided with openings 21, 22 adjacent the aligned indentations. In a raised upstanding position as shown in FIG. 1, the openings 21, 22 will provide a number of shaped indentations 23 which will receive and aid in supporting a bottle while a baby is being fed.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the stiffener elements 15 is provided with an elongated slot 15c arranged parallel to a side edge of the stiffener and located substantially midway between the ends of the stiffener. The layers of fabric material are also provided with anopening 2S aligned with slot 15c to define handle grasping means which will permit the support pad to be grasped for movement from one supporting area to a second supporting area.

The support pad shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are provided with additional restraining means 31, 32 extending from the edges of the pad support surface 11 between the restraining means 13, 14. The additional restraining means 31, 32 are integrally formed with the supporting surface 11 and are freely movable from a collapsed position as shown in FIG. 2 to an upstanding connected restraining position, as shown in FIG. 1. Each of the additional restraining members 13, 32 are provided with a number of projecting tabs 33, each projecting tab being provided with a snap-on connector 34. When the additional restraining means 31, 32 are moved to an upstanding restraining position, the snap-on connectors 34 are adapted to be connected with complementary snap-on connectors 35.

As shown in FIG. 4, a modified restraining means 41, 42 are provided on opposite lateral side edges of the supporting surface 11. The modified restraining means are constructed of thin stiffener elements 41a, 42a which are adapted to be bowed upwardly, as shown in FIG. 4, and are held in an upstanding position by means of the releasable retaining straps 17. Each of the stiffener elements 410, 42a is constructed of an integrally formed piece of stiffener material which can be readily bowed upwardly to the restraining position. The stiffener elements 41a, 42a are bonded between the layers of material and can be provided with suitable indentations or slots (not shown) for defining bottle supporting means and handle grasping means, respectively.

The underside of the pad can be provided with suitable skid resistant material for maintaining the pad in position on a smooth or slick surface.

In operation, the supporting pad described above can be used in a number of arrangements and for use in supporting a number of different objects. The pad can be used on a counter backed by a wall with only one side of the restraining means adjusted to a raised restraining position. The pad can be used in supporting a baby in position on a seat or couch with only one side of the restraining means raised and with the seat or couch back controlling movement in an opposite direction. When a baby is being supported on a table top, an adult bed or in a doctors examining room on a medical stand, both of the restraining means 13, 14 should be adjusted to a raised restraining position.

The additional restraining means 31, 32 can be adjusted to a raised restraining position to discourage a baby from crawling or pushing in an unwanted direction.

Since the safety pad is constructed of suitable synthetic material, the pad can be used for sanitary purposes or for supporting a baby in a number of locations.

When utilizing the supporting pad described above as a transport device, an individual can grasp slots defining the handle means 25 and the pad will provide a comfortable hammock to aid in transporting a baby.

Further, a number of pads can be used in combination to prevent a wet, soapy baby from sliding off a counter or table top during a bathing operation. The pad will have further utility in positioning and controlling movement of a baby in an adult bathtub.

When the restraining means 13, 14 are adjusted to a raised restraining position, the support pad with the shaped indentation 23 can be utilized to aid in supporting bottle for pre-nap feeding.

The pad will also be useful in providing a moisture safe barrier for supporting a baby on sand or grass during a family outing.

As indicated above, the pad can also be used in supporting a number of tools or other objects on an unsteady surface such as a boat.

As shown in dotted lines in FIG. 1, an alternate arrangement of the support means is provided wherein the restraining means 13, 14, 31 and 32 can be moved to a fully extended position 113, 114, 131 and 132, respectively, and adjusted substantially perpendicular to support surface 11 to form a bag for use in carrying objects, such as wet beach towels or for carrying a baby. The restraining means 113, 114, 131 and 132 are maintained in an adjusted bag forming position by engagement of female connectors 134 on tabs 133 with complementary male snap-on fasteners (not shown) secured to an underside of stiffener elements 15, 16 opposite fasteners 20, 35, respectively.

It now becomes apparent that the above-described illustrative embodiments of a support pad are capable of obtaining the above stated objects and advantages. It is obvious that those skilled in the art may make modification in the details of construction without departing from the spirit of the invention which is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A support for use in controlling movement of supported objects comprising, in combination:

a, a surface constructed to provide an area on which objects can be supported;

b. restraining means provided on at least one lateral edge of said surface for movement between a collapsed position substantially coplanar with said surface to a raised position projecting above and at an oblique angle with said surface and comprising a first stiffened flap connected to and along said one lateral edge so as to hinge upwardly with respect thereto and a second stiffened flap hingedly connected to and along said first flap; and

. holding means detachably joining said surface and said restraining means second flap for releasably holding said first flap in said raised position above and at an oblique angle with surface, said holding means underlying said first and second flaps to hold a free edge of said second flap to said surface so as to be operable for releasably holding said first and second flaps in an angularly adjusted position relative to each other and relative to said surface whereby said restraining means will prevent unwanted movement of supported objects off of said surface in the direction of said lateral edge.

2. A support for use in controlling movement of supported objects comprising, in combination:

a. a surface constructed to provide an area on which objects can be supported;

b. collapsible first restraining means on two opposite lateral side edges of said surface for movement between collapsed positions substantially coplanar with said surface to raised positions projecting above and at an oblique angle with said surface, and with the collapsible first restraining means of each surface edge comprising at least one stiffening flap connected to and along one of said opposite lateral side edges of said surface so as to hinge upwardly with respect thereto;

c. first holding means detachably joining said surface and said first restraining means for releasably holding said flaps in said raised positions projecting above and at an oblique angle with said surface whereby said first restraining means will prevent unwanted movement of supported objects off of said surface in the direction of said two opposite lateral side edges;

d. second restraining means provided on a lateral edge of said surface between said two opposite lateral side edges, said second restraining means being movable between a collapsed position substantially coplanar with said surface and a raised position projecting above said surface; and

e. second holding means detachably connecting said second restraining means to said first restraining means and overlying portions of said first restraining means for holding said second restraining means in said raised position. 3. A support as defined in claim 2 further comprising:

ported objects comprising, in combination:

a. a surface constructed to provide an area on which objects can be supported;

b. two collapsible opposed restraining means supported on opposite lateral edges of said surface for movement between a collapsed position substan tially coplanar with said surface and a raised position projecting above and at an oblique angle with said surface and with each of restraining means comprising at least one stiffened flap connected to and along one of said opposite lateral edges so as to hinge upwardly with respect thereto and handle grasping means which will permit said surface to be moved from one location to a second location;

c. means detachably joining said surface and said opposed restraining means for releasably holding said flaps in said raised position projecting above and at an oblique angle with said surface whereby said restraining means will prevent unwanted movement of supported objects off of said surface in the direction of one of said opposite lateral edges;

d. additional restraining means on opposite lateral edges of said surface between said two opposed restraining means, said opposed restraining means and said additional restraining means adapted to be adjusted to a fully extended position substantially perpendicular to said surface, and wherein said opposed restraining means and said additional restraining means includes releasable connecting means operatively connectable with each other for maintaining said opposed and! additional restraining means in said fully extended position. 

1. A support for use in controlling movement of supported objects comprising, in combination: a. a surface constructed to provide an area on which objects can be supported; b. restraining means provided on at least one lateral edge of said surface for movement between a collapsed position substantially coplanar with said surface to a raised position projecting above and at an oblique angle with said surface and comprising a first stiffened flap connected to and along said one lateral edge so as to hinge upwardly with respect thereto and a second stiffened flap hingedly connected to and along said first flap; and c. holding means detachably joining said surface and said restraining means second flap for releasably holding said first flap in said raised position above and at an oblique angle with surface, said holding means underlying said first and second flaps to hold a free edge of said second flap to said surface so as to be operable for releasably holding said first and second flaps in an angularly adjusted position relative to each other and relative to said surface whereby said restraining means will prevent unwanted movement of supported objects off of said surface in the direction of said lateral edge.
 2. A support for use in controlling movement of supported objects comprising, in combination: a. a surface constructed to provide an area on which objects can be supported; b. collapsible first restraining means on two opposite lateral side edges of said surface for movement between collapsed positions substantially coplanar with said surface to raised positions projecting above and at an oblique angle wiTh said surface, and with the collapsible first restraining means of each surface edge comprising at least one stiffening flap connected to and along one of said opposite lateral side edges of said surface so as to hinge upwardly with respect thereto; c. first holding means detachably joining said surface and said first restraining means for releasably holding said flaps in said raised positions projecting above and at an oblique angle with said surface whereby said first restraining means will prevent unwanted movement of supported objects off of said surface in the direction of said two opposite lateral side edges; d. second restraining means provided on a lateral edge of said surface between said two opposite lateral side edges, said second restraining means being movable between a collapsed position substantially coplanar with said surface and a raised position projecting above said surface; and e. second holding means detachably connecting said second restraining means to said first restraining means and overlying portions of said first restraining means for holding said second restraining means in said raised position.
 3. A support as defined in claim 2 further comprising: f. third restraining means provided on a second lateral edge of said surface between said two opposite lateral side edges; and g. third holding means detachably connecting said third restraining means to said first restraining means and overlying portion of said first restraining means for holding said third restraining means in a raised position.
 4. A support for use in controlling movement of supported objects comprising, in combination: a. a surface constructed to provide an area on which objects can be supported; b. two collapsible opposed restraining means supported on opposite lateral edges of said surface for movement between a collapsed position substantially coplanar with said surface and a raised position projecting above and at an oblique angle with said surface and with each of restraining means comprising at least one stiffened flap connected to and along one of said opposite lateral edges so as to hinge upwardly with respect thereto and handle grasping means which will permit said surface to be moved from one location to a second location; c. means detachably joining said surface and said opposed restraining means for releasably holding said flaps in said raised position projecting above and at an oblique angle with said surface whereby said restraining means will prevent unwanted movement of supported objects off of said surface in the direction of one of said opposite lateral edges; d. additional restraining means on opposite lateral edges of said surface between said two opposed restraining means, said opposed restraining means and said additional restraining means adapted to be adjusted to a fully extended position substantially perpendicular to said surface, and wherein said opposed restraining means and said additional restraining means includes releasable connecting means operatively connectable with each other for maintaining said opposed and additional restraining means in said fully extended position. 